Exchanges

As part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, states can create health insurance exchanges. The Colorado Health Benefit Exchange, which will be open for business on January 1, 2014, will be a portal for consumers, offering a variety of certified health plans.

The Colorado Health Benefits Exchange was established under Senate Bill 200. This bill created the Exchange as a public non-profit entity. The Exchange has a board of directors appointed by the governor and the state legislature. The Exchange is governed by a special subcommittee of the state legislature.

The Division of Insurance plays an active role advising the Exchange. The Division will review the rates for plans offered on the Exchange. The Division will ensure that health plans are solvent. Finally the Division will advise the Exchange on complaints to ensure that certified health plans offer appropriate consumer protections.